Beijing: Sudan`s President Omar al-Bashir wanted on a
war crimes warrant, on Wednesday won pledges from China and its
state-owned energy firm they will continue investing in his
country after its resource-rich southern region becomes
independent next month.

Sudan`s Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti said today
that President Omar al-Bashir came to China hoping to hear
Sudan`s biggest diplomatic and economic backer would continue
to invest in northern Sudan`s oil, agriculture and mining
sectors. Violence has escalated in areas contested by the
north and south, and China has said it wants the two sides to
peacefully settle the disputes.

"We had good assurances from his excellency President
Hu Jintao that China would go on working with Sudan hand in
hand whether politically or financially or economically,"
Karti told reporters at a briefing two days into a trip that
comes just ahead of south Sudan`s independence on July 9.

Karti said Chinese leaders also voiced support for
al-Bashir though the International Criminal Court has twice
issued warrants for his arrest on charges of genocide, crimes
against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. China is not a
court member and says it`s reserving opinion.

Securing China`s continued patronage is crucial for
the north, which has long had close ties with Beijing but is
threatened by Beijing`s overtures to leaders in the
oil-producing south.